Level 1 option in the Humanities in Health and Medicine major sequence

The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences

Category B broadening unit for students

Level 1 elective

Content

This unit introduces students to a population view of health and provides a framework for understanding population health issues. Using this framework, discussions are based on how we know what the major health issues are, who is at risk of ill health, what are the determinants or influences on human health and disease, and what is the potential for prevention. Tutorials address case studies on current health issues that illustrate the population health approach to describing and addressing patterns of health and disease in populations. One tutorial may comprise a two-hour field trip within metropolitan Perth.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe what is meant by the terms 'health' and 'population health'; (2) describe the main causes of mortality and morbidity in Australia and globally; (3) describe and apply a conceptual framework for examining population health issues; (4) describe the factors (biological, sociocultural, environmental, economic and political) that influence the distribution of health in Australia and elsewhere; (5) identify and discuss the reason why some groups in society have poorer health outcomes, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, refugees, etc; (6) identify approaches to the prevention of ill health and management of population health; (7) identify attributes of effective teams; (8) receive and act upon feedback; (9) identify and retrieve data relevant to population health; (10) assess and present a population health issue succinctly and effectively; and (11) assess the quality of their own work.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation; (2) an essay; and (3) a two-hour examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.

All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.

Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.